Microsoft announces Minecraft for Oculus Rift is coming next year

Microsoft has announced that the hit video game Minecraft will be made available for Oculus Rift headsets from next year. Players will be able to build and mine with friends while fully immersed in the VR experience.

Microsoft shared details on Minecraft for Oculus Rift yesterday. Minecraft Windows 10 Edition will gain support for the VR headset from spring next year and will be offered for sale in both the Windows and Oculus stores.

VR gamers will be able to enjoy their blocky worlds in full-3D for the first time. Creative, survival and multiplayer game modes will be available, allowing players to build, mine, explore and destroy co-operatively and competitively within the confines of a 3D Minecraft landscape.

Microsoft has developed a strong partnership with Oculus which Minecraft will help to carry forward. The deal was announced back in June and aims to be mutually beneficial to both involved parties.

All Oculus Rift headsets sold will be bundled with an Xbox One controller as a primary input method. Many Xbox One games will also be playable on Oculus Rift. Windows 10, the gateway to virtual reality for most gamers, is already optimised for virtual reality and includes out-of-the-box support for such experiences, powered by DirectX 12 graphics.

At the time of the announcement, Microsoft's head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, said: "We're thrilled to be working closely with the team at Oculus. Their groundbreaking work in virtual reality is inspiring, and the Oculus Rift delivers a truly next-generation VR experience. We at Xbox are passionate about giving gamers the opportunity to play when and where they want. I can't wait to see the incredible games created for the Rift, and we are proud to be part of the experience."

Since purchasing Minecraft creators Mojang last year, Microsoft has worked hard to develop versions of the record-breaking game designed to work with next-generation computing experiences. The company has consistently amazed audiences by demoing Minecraft gameplay on its HoloLens holographic headset, allowing players to reach into and look around the objects in their game worlds.

On Oculus Rift, the player will be able to fully immerse themselves in the world by seeing the landscape through the eyes of their character. Microsoft notes that players can begin building their new worlds today as Oculus support will be added to the existing Windows 10 edition of Minecraft that can currently be found in beta form in the Windows store.